Obtaining Workers Compensation Benefits and Personal Injury Recoveries after Falling at Work

Utilizing scaffolds is a key part of working in construction and a common source of Ohio construction accidents. Scaffolding is used to provide workers with a place to stand while at heights that would otherwise be unreachable. While extremely useful, scaffolding can be dangerous when the proper safety precautions are not taken. Improperly assembled or defective scaffolding can also cause workers to fall due to scaffolding collapses. Other times, the cause of scaffolding injuries is from objects falling from the scaffolding onto employees working below.

At the firm of Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC, each scaffolding accident attorney recognizes the importance of workers’ rights. Started in 1929, the legacy of one of the oldest workers compensation law firms in Ohio is one of hard work and helping employees obtain their rightful compensation for injuries in the workplace. We have offices throughout Ohio in order to assist workers and their families in Columbus, Zanesville in addition to offices near Newark in Granville. If you have scaffolding injuries because of an unsafe workplace, lack of training or a defective scaffold, let a scaffolding accident attorney from our Ohio workers compensation firm help.

Are There Scaffolding Regulations in Ohio to Protect Workers from Falling?

To prevent scaffolding injuries on the job, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has several guidelines for employers who use scaffolds to protect workers from scaffold falls. For example, certain types of scaffolds above a certain height must have one or both of the following:

Personal fall-arrest system – A personal fall-arrest system protects workers from falls by attaching them by rope to the scaffold or to a secure place on the building.

Guardrail system – A guardrail system protects workers by surrounding them with rails that can withstand 200 pounds of force.

If you would like to know more about how lack of fall protection can leave workers at risk of sustaining serious scaffolding injury and what other scaffold safety regulations employers must have in place to protect construction workers using scaffolding, consult a knowledgeable scaffolding accident attorney from the workers compensation law firm of Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC.

Can I Get Workers Compensation for a Scaffolding Injury?

Falling from a scaffold can result in serious and life-altering injuries, and the medical bills to treat these scaffolding injuries can pile up fast. Some common scaffolding injuries include:

Broken bones

Paralysis

Traumatic head injury

Contusions

Disabling injuries

The Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (OBWC) can provide workers injured in scaffolding accidents a number of financial benefits to help cover medical expenses, lost wages and other costs while they are unable to work. However, qualifying for workers compensation benefits after a scaffold accident is not always as easy or straightforward as it seems. While some “medical only” workers comp claims after a scaffold accident may be approved without issue by the OBWC, a worker who falls off a scaffold and needs benefits beyond medical expenses, which is typically the case, may be faced with the OBWC contesting the claim or an employer representative limiting benefits to save the company on insurance premiums. Workers compensation law is complicated, but employees hurt on scaffolding have legal rights. If the OBWC or your employer is contesting your claim, or if you want to avoid having a contested workers compensation case, reach out to a scaffolding accident attorney at our law firm to make sure workers compensation laws uphold your right to fair injury compensation.

Is Workers Compensation My Only Option after a Scaffold Accident?

If someone other than your employer, such as the scaffold manufacturer or a non-employee construction contractor, is responsible for the scaffolding accident, you may be able to obtain compensation for pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment in a successful third party lawsuit. A third party claim gives you more options to obtain damages for negligence than workers compensation, which can be limited. For example, if the manufacturer failed to build secure guardrails and the guardrails give way causing a scaffolding injury, you may be able to file a personal injury suit against the company that manufactured the scaffold. You should consult with a scaffolding accident attorney to determine what your best legal options are going forward.

How Can I Find a Scaffolding Accident Attorney to Represent Me?

At Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC, we have a team of experienced and determined scaffolding accident lawyers who work tirelessly to help clients hurt on the job. If you or a loved one has been in a scaffolding accident, we can help you find a scaffolding accident attorney for your claim. Speak with an attorney today at (614) 221-7548.

“I am very blessed to have found this firm. They have made sure that I have received all the compensation possible related to my claim. This is the firm I would recommend to my own family members and anyone else in need of legal representation due to work related injuries.”

Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC, keeps its main offices in Columbus, but we also operate in Granville, Zanesville, Logan, Newark, Lima and Portsmouth. As part of our dedication to helping as many injured workers in Ohio as possible, we never want anyone to draw a blank when asking, “Is there an experienced and caring workers’ compensation lawyer near me?” Let us know what we can do for you by requesting a free consultation today.